“Dammit Tate…” She groaned as Principal Nelson came into the gym.
“What seems to be the problem Coach?” he asked.
“Melinda has lost some jewelry. She put a necklace and her rings in her bag at the beginning of the period, Mr. Tatum confirmed it and now they’re missing.”
“I see,” he stated glancing towards her as the rest of the class inched closer. “How much are they worth?”
“To me they’re priceless but the ring’s worth well over a hundred thousand and the necklace is at least seventy-five,” she answered knowing they were both insured but hating it all the same.
“Oh yeah right,” Steph laughed. “Like you’d ever be able to afford something like that.”
Tate held her back as her fist curled praying that Jordan would get there before she let loose and walloped her, though he wouldn’t mind seeing Steph flat on her back with a bloody lip. “We’ll find it Mel. It’s not like they walked off by themselves.”
“Are you accusing someone of stealing these items?” Mr. Nelson inquired.
“We’ve checked her entire bag and under the bleachers where it was sitting. What else could have happened to it?” he stated.
“Well then why don’t you turn out your pockets Tater?” Steph stated.
“Miss Augustan, please stop speaking,” Mr. Nelson said shooting her an annoyed look.
Tate shrugged and headed over to his bag and jacket.
“Tate,youdon’t have anything to prove to them,” Mel said eyeing Steph suspiciously. “I know you’d never steal from me, but I can’t say the same for everyone else in here.”
“Oh come on, she doesn’t have some stupid necklace let alone a ring that cost that much,” Steph argued before adding quietly to her as she stalked towards her, “unless you earned it on your back like your mother.”
“You little bitch,” Mel seethed advancing towards her until Tate caught her around the waist and pulled her back.
“Mel, she’s not worth it,” he warned but she was too far gone to care.
“Mr. Nelson, I don’t have to stand around here being subjected to possible violence,” Steph said with a smirk.
“Miss Augustan, as well as everyone else in the gym will be searching for the items. If you took them now is your chance to return them without penalty,” Mr. Nelson stated ushering Mel and Tate aside. “Melinda, if these items are worth that much why did you bring them to school?”
“Because it’s my wedding rings and my Christmas present from my husband.Ishouldn’t be punished because someone else is ticked off that I’m currently in the top spot for our class.”
“You’re insinuating that Miss Augustan took these items?”
“Who else hates Mel enough to do something as low as this?” Tate asked.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to it, but I will permit bags to be searched before anyone leaves the gymnasium. First let’s take another look around and make sure they didn’t simply fall out,” he suggested as Coach Ross watched the group. “Melinda, I apologize if you thought I was stating you shouldn’t wear them, I didn’t realize their significance.”
“I don’t wear the ring in my classes. It’s always in the jewelry box in the bottom pocket of my bag. I put the wedding band in with it while in gym and the necklace in the same pocket.”
“It’ll turn up Mel, I’m sure of it,” Tate promised giving her a hug.
By the time the bell rang, there was still no sign of them and Mr. Nelson refused to let anyone leave.
“I’m allowing Coach Ross and Ms. Vincent to do bag checks,” he stated as they headed towards the door.
“You can’t just check our bags because she says something’s missing,” Andrew argued.
“I can and I am, the sooner you offer it up the sooner you’ll be free to go,” he replied. Several students gladly handed them over and took the late slips from the teachers as they headed towards the locker rooms.
Both Stephanie and Andrew stepped up, and her chest tightened when they found nothing. Ms. Simmons pushed open the gym door and walked in with Jordan. He hurried over to her side and pulled her into a hug turning her away from the crowd to check on her.
“No luck?” he asked making her sigh.
